China to establish a cultural centre in Finland

On 15 April, the Finnish government adopted a decree bringing into force an agreement between Finland and the People's Republic of China on the establishment of a China Cultural Centre in Finland.

Negotiations on the agreement lasted for several years and the agreement was signed in Beijing in autumn 2019.

Under the agreement, the China Cultural Centre is a non-profit cultural institute.

According to the Ministry of Education and Culture, China is responsible as a whole for establishing and organising the Centre. Finland does not incur any costs in relation to the agreement and it does not require the adoption of other legislation. 

The Cultural Centre must be established and managed in accordance with the legislation in force in Finland. This means it becomes a Finnish legal entity.

Finland does not currently have any plans to establish a cultural centre in China, so the agreement only applies to the China Cultural Centre that will be established in Finland.

Promote 'cultural cooperation'

The purpose of the China Cultural Centre is to promote cultural cooperation between the two countries as well as mutual understanding and knowledge of Chinese culture in Finland.

China determines the activities and programme of the Cultural Centre.

"Preliminary information suggests that the centre might organise exhibitions, concerts, presentations and culinary courses," the Finnish government says.

This agreement entered into force on 17 April 2021.